[3] While still at school (Drayton Manor Grammr School in Hanwell, West London) he was a member of bands Heavy Water and Blind Eye and just before heading off to university he joined Fast Buck with Charlie Harper (who later formed UK Subs) and Scott Gorham (shortly before he joined Thin Lizzy).

[5] Three years later, Mann joined Lionheart with former members of Tygers of Pan Tang, Iron Maiden, Def Leppard and Judas Priest.

The latter, recorded in Los Angeles, spawned the US number 5 hit[10] single ‘Anytime,’ written by Mann and Robin McAuley.

He also spent several years as keyboardist and guitarist of the legendary British glam rockers Sweet and played several tours with the German progressive rock band, Eloy.

[13] Lionheart reunited in 2016, featuring the original members Mann, Newton and Dennis Stratton, and new members vocalist Lee Small (ex-Shy) and Mann's longtime friend, drummer Clive Edwards (ex-UFO and Uli Jon Roth) who played with the band briefly in the 1980s.